Holiday

This morning, I wished A a Happy Halloween.  He said I’m the only person who’s ever wished him that.  Although I can’t be sure, he may have said something else which I will refrain from printing.  

In spite of what appears to be a view that Halloween with all its trappings is a very American tradition, it does seem to have caught on in the UK!  We went for a drive last night and, to my delight, there were clever costumes on several corners.  The shops were certainly full of varied Halloween dress options.  Well, perhaps not exactly full … but they did have one third of an entire aisle dedicated to the purpose!  Someone even eagerly let off fireworks briefly last evening (though I suspect that was really a very premature keenness for the upcoming Guy Fawkes festivities the 5^th of November).  Missing, were the decorations on every porch, and jack o’lanterns carved from pumpkins lit from within by candles.   

I asked A if children come to the door in costume ‘trick or treat’ing, and he reluctantly admitted that there is the occasional knock at the door.   Needless to say we are buying treats to have at the ready!  (A can always take the leftovers to work with him where I am sure they can be put to good use).  

A muttered grumpily a few times this morning about my Halloween greetings upon waking this morning.  Perhaps it’s not as much a cultural disparity as it is a personal difference.   To be fair, not everyone was brought up to embrace every ‘holiday’ with gusto.  Even the word ‘holiday’ seems to have different interpretations on either side of the Atlantic.   In the UK, a holiday usually connotates a day or more off work – sometimes for a purpose (e.g. Christmas, New Year, and interestingly May Day), and sometimes not (e.g. Bank holiday for no discernable reason other than a day away from work).  In the USA, a holiday is simply a word we can use to describe every occasion worth noting, observing, or celebrating, whether we have an accompanying day off work or not (e.g. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s Day, Thanksgiving, et al).  

A mentioned what he refers to as ‘British’ disdain (or is it merely A’s disdain) for American ‘Hallmark Holidays’, which are viewed to be purely commercial opportunities for greeting card companies as opposed to actual commemorations of anything worthy.  He has a point … but only to a point.  I don’t excitedly awake in eager anticipation of celebrating, say, National Bath Safety Month, or Festival of Sleep Day (though I should consider this one!).  There are some interesting ones out there.  However, I admit that I do still get excited about Groundhog Day.  

It seems that A might merely be a ‘Grinch’ in general regarding certain ‘holidays’ while I in contrast still approach most of them with lingering childlike glee.   In any case, I look forward to discovering new excuses to celebrate as I learn a few new-to-me traditions in the UK. 

Happy Halloween!!

And, according to this site:
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/october.htm

National Cookie Month … hooray! 

A Second Look

It’s true that you don’t always know what you’ve got if you’ve always had it.  Perhaps on some level you do, but we all lose perspective at times.   

For example, after some recent outings, it appears that A doesn’t view Cumbria (or Scotland for that matter) with the same eyes that I currently do.  With typical American enthusiasm, I manage to exclaim in one form or another (gasp, sucking in breath, ooohs, aaaaahs, wide eyes, squeals, happy remarks, et al) regarding the stunning beauty of the landscapes that unfold around every bend in the road.  As A drives, I happily click away with the camera as if I could somehow document each beautiful vista in a way that would come close to doing it justice.  (Not an easy feat in general or at speed from a car window).  

A occasionally fails to match my fervor and zeal for wanting to explore every corner of this beautiful country.  It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate it … indeed he loves it!   Still, when I tell him I want to holiday in certain corners of the UK, it doesn’t hold the same appeal for him as, say, Africa, or Egypt, or other exotic corners of the Earth.  I suppose that if the tables had been turned, I might have had a similar attitude, so I’m not criticizing.  I’m just recognizing the challenge which now presents itself:  to get A to see his world with my eyes and recall the reasons why it’s worthy of silent (and sometimes not so silent) wonderment.  

Lost...

Who knew the basics could be so challenging?  A and I went on a brief outing to the ‘shop’ (grocery store) today.  It was a little bewildering though we ostensibly speak the same language (-ish).  All the fluids were in millilitres instead of fluid ounces.  The food labels list units such as ‘energies’.  It took me ten or fifteen minutes to locate the most basic product because many brand and product names are unrecognizable to me.  For example, I was in search of shaving gel for women.  I looked and looked on the aisle it should have been on.  There was a huge section of men’s shaving cream.  I finally had to ask a clerk, who looked puzzled and asked’ shaving gel… for women?’.  We did eventually locate it – there were exactly two on the shelf to choose from and they were rather tucked away at that.  

Another thing I’ve noticed is that we are often asked the question ‘are you alright’?  It seems that this has two potential meanings in the UK.   In the context of a shop or similar it may mean ‘can I help you’?  In passing, it can also mean ‘how are you’ or ‘hello’.  To the American ear, it typically means something more like ‘is something wrong … can I phone an ambulance for you or get you a glass of water or a chair’.  This may give me a complex at worst, or just take some getting used to.  

When it was time to check out – it got more interesting.  Although this may vary by shop, in this shop I found that in addition to paying for bags – they do not bag your groceries for you, nor do they wait for you to bag your own.  You must toss them rapidly into your cart as they fly off the conveyor and once paid – move your cart out of the way and bag them wherever you can find a little space to do so.  

Afterwards, we filled up with ‘petrol’ (gas), which is sold by the litre (and shockingly expensive!).  The upside is that the cars here get far superior mpg.  

It’s amazing that I can feel quite so lost in a place where English is the primary language and which for all intents and purposes is as modern as the world I left behind.   I can see so much that I’m going to love here … I just hope that people can allow for my learning curve while I shuffle aimlessly along like Paddington Bear. 

Consolation prize:  They have Costa Coffee!!  

Homeless, jobless, carless, countryless ... so why am I smiling?

A few short days ago, having just dismantled my apartment, given away, stored, shipped, and/or otherwise packed up my belongings, I stood in the airport waiting to board my flight when it occurred to me that for all of my ambitions and achievements through the years, I was at that moment officially homeless ... jobless ... car-less ... country-less (in a manner of speaking).  I was feeling a bit displaced, a bit nervous, but nonetheless very excited and happy.  On paper I may be a bit less than impressive in status now, but in actuality I'm thrilled!  Our journey begins here ... now that I've joined A in the UK!  

The actual journey wasn't without its bumps.  I managed to acquire a rather unpleasant cold mid-flight and by the time of landing was miserable.  Our flight was significantly delayed and we missed our ground transport from the airport.  It was cold and damp, and we were laden with more luggage than I ever care to carry again!  We are eternally grateful to our friends and neighbors who ended up packing us and our considerable luggage along with theirs like sardines into their station wagon estate and driving us the no less considerable distance home.   Home.    Home!   I still can't believe this is now home.  

I wonder how long it will be before it stops feeling like I'm merely on vacation holiday?  

Hopefully I'll always feel a little this way ... !

Rather under the weather ... where would I be without hot tea, milk, and sweetner?  Happily settling into life with A in the UK ... will write more when I recover from these past weeks, and my cold!